Amlat Magaleño is dedicated for every Magaleños. This page is designed to promote, disseminate local history and culture of our beloved town, Magalang, province of Pampanga, Philipines; established since April 30, 1605.

38. UNFORGETTABLE NATURAL DISASTERS IN MAGALANG

Natural disasters are made by the nature. It us unpredictable during older times. And when it comes, it will destroy properties and perish many lives. In Magalang, there are some unforgettable natural disasters that struck the town and changed its history.

1858- torrential rains poured all over Luzon. A report signed on November 11 on the same year by the gobernadorcillo that time, Don Salvador Manalo that due to heavy rains, Parua River was overflowed and destroyed everything. All of the bridges crossing the river are destroyed, canals are also destroyed and roads are not accessible. At the same time, the comandante of Comandancia Militar de Tarlac that time, Don Sebastian Hernandez reported that Magalang was like of a huge lake due to floods.

1863- on June 3, a strong earthquake struck the town and left considerable damage. Torrential rains poured again on Magalang and flooded the town once again. This huge disaster prompted Governor General Rafael Echague Birmingham to issue expediente dated December 3 on the same year. The expediente ordered the transfer of Magalang from barrio San Bartolome to high elevated place of Talimunduc, located in barrio San Pedro. It also stated in the expediente the creation of new town of Concepcion; composed of former barrios of Magalang located on north bank of Parua River. The actual transfer was done in December 13 according to the report penned by Fr. Ignacio Manzanares, OSA, cura parocco of Magalang. While the new town of Concepcion was established in barrio Matondo and later it was transfer once again in the present site.

1867- a strong storm struck Central Luzon. Some provinces in Pampanga including Magalang was flooded. The roads linking to the town of Sta Ana are not passable.

1936- a powerful storm pounded Central Luzon including Magalang; leaving ten dead when their boat was capsized. Other scattered deaths are reported.

1972- tropical depression Didang pounded Central Luzon; leaving Pampanga including Magalang flooded. On the same year, a month long torrential rains poured all over Luzon due to circulation of southwest monsoon by the super typhoon Gloring. This unstoppable rains locally known as siyam-siyam flooded all over Luzon. This natural disaster known as the 1972 Luzon Great Flood.

1991- Mt. Pinatubo erupted and its ashes were mixed with strong rains brought by the strong typhoon Diding. This mixture of ash and rainwater known as lahar flowed in major rivers and tributaries in Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales destroyed houses and properties. Lahar flowed into Parua River and destroyed houses in Concepcion. The lahar flows slightly flowed into barrio San Roque and Navaling in Magalang. Slight damages were reported.

1995- tropical storm Mameng crossed Central Luzon leaving whole Pampanga flooded. The town proper of Magalang was also flooded due to overflowing of streams. It was reported that a small dam was destroyed and huge waters further flooded Magalang.

Photo Credit:

http://www.weatherexplained.com/images/walm_01_img0157.jpg

Source:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), Manila (2016), National Commission for Culture and the Arts, pages 28, 29, 30, 60, 78 and 80.